Jarrad David Gray: Geraldton man charged after assaulting wife in public bathroom over custody of daughters

A Geraldton man has admitted to grabbing his ex-wife by the throat and attacking her in a public bathroom in front of their two children. But Jarrad David Gray avoided jail or any court-based order and was instead fined $800 after pleading guilty to aggravated common assault. Gray appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday where he admitted to the assault in the pool bathroom at a Geraldton caravan park on March 20 this year. The court was told Gray’s former wife and mother of his two daughters had collected the girls from school at 1.30pm, taking them to the caravan park pool before texting Gray at 2.30pm to tell him this. Police prosecutor Sen. Const. Paul White said Gray disagreed with this and arrived at the caravan park, but when the victim saw him she quickly ushered the children into a toilet block. Gray followed, yelled “I’m taking the girls, you’re never going to see them again” before and grabbed the victim by her throat and forced her into a cubicle. Gray’s lawyer argued it was a push, which came from frustration. Magistrate Kevin Tavener said: “Children being present doesn’t help it, neither party behaved well.” The court was told Gray stopped once he realised witnesses were watching, and claimed it was done out of concern for the safety of his children, who were being locked in a toilet cubicle and he did not mean to harm the victim. Gray and the victim have been separated for three years, but Gray has custody of the children, while the victim has specified visitation dates. Mr Tavener assessed the burden of fines on families, but issued Gray with an $800 fine, telling him “you obviously take this seriously”. 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)